Rwanda says it is pleased to welcome U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a visit to the country next week. The US Secretary of State is expected in the region next week to push for improved relations, he will first visit Kinshasa before proceeding to Kigali.
“We look forward to further strengthening the bilateral relationship between Rwanda and the United States, and discussing our partnership in areas including peacekeeping, global health (notably the upcoming Global Fund replenishment), global food and energy security, trade and investment, counterterrorism, and climate action.” Says a communique from Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation.
Addressing security challenges in the Great Lakes region is a key priority, and Rwanda remains committed to the various regional mechanisms in place to find durable solutions.
Rwanda looks forward to a robust exchange of views on governance and human rights, as has always been the case in the Rwanda-U.S. bilateral relationship.
The ministry further added that, on the case of Rwandan citizen Paul Rusesabagina, on which we had engaged the United States for more than a decade, Rwanda welcomes the opportunity to once again make clear that his arrest and conviction for serious crimes against Rwandan citizens (alongside 20 other accomplices in the same trial), while residing in the United States, were lawful under both Rwandan and international law.
Blinken’s tour will be his second visit to Africa after visiting Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal in November 2021.